Thursday, October 16, 2008

Traffic offences and an escape from the rat race

I was stopped by a policeman last Saturday for going through a red light. I am normally a law abiding driver who signals lane changes, stops at pedestrian crossings, observes the white lines and the road signs that may still be visible so I was pretty annoyed to be stopped. I was certain that the traffic light was not working and told the policeman as much but did not want to waste any time so took the ticket and went on my way.

I did make it a point to check the light when I passed by the next day and it was'nt working; or at least the red light was'nt.

Anyway, to return to the tale, my mood brightened a bit when I realised the ticket was being issued by the Slave Island police where a good friend had a contact. Now the fine for running a red light is Rs.1000+taxes so it is worth the hassle to avoid it. Contacted my friend and he put me on to his contact, met the man (with a T-shirt in hand as a little present) and he said call him the next day and he would arrange for me to talk to the OIC. He also admitted that they knew that the particular traffic light was not working and I wondered silently whether the police were deliberately targeting motorists to fill their quota of fines.

Then began the saga. It appears that the good Sergeant's daughter is taking part in the Derana Superstar contest. I was asked to send around 150 sms's (more if possible) between 8.30pm next Saturday and 8.30am the next day (Sunday). He also gave me a printed card with the girl's photo and number. She looks quite fashionable with straightened hair, but then a lot of very average females improve their looks by straightening their hair.

Today I encountered another member of my staff whose husband had been copped and he had been asked to do the same. My friend, who gave me the contact has also been asked to send many SMS's and told me that when he met the Sergeant he was carrying a bagful of SIM cards which was distributing to people for votes.

I'm not sure what kind of prize money is available to the winner but it seems fairly obvious that the Sergeant sees an escape from the rat race if his daughter succeeds.

I always thought these things rather silly and they are actually designed to benefit the organisers (the television companies, the phone companies and whatever media are involved) rather than the participants, but I suppose some kind of talent is involved somewhere and it does give an opportunity to people who do not take to traditional careers to better their lives.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

where is this traffic light located??...so we can safely avoid it..

Lady divine said...

what the hell??????
What is wrong with these people? and talk about fairness in a competition!
argh!!!
and yes, what traffic light was this? If I may ask..

Anonymous said...

Totally agree on the straightening hair part. Managed to convince two women not to do it some time ago....

LD: ha ha... there is so much of canvassing for these things. If the organisers were sincere, then they would allow only one vote, per number.

Gehan said...

seriously?! haha unbelievable...!

Jack Point said...

Traffic light is the one at Liptons Circus roundabout just at the entrance to Union Place (opposite the Osu Sala). The cops were waiting just after the bend in the road on Union Place.

pissu perera said...

pffft at the women who need to straighten their hair to look good (that's my inner egotist coming out ;)

as for winning these competitions and coming out of the rat race, not possile if you let it get to your head. (actually, not sure if it's possible even if it doesn't go to your head). heard from someone that the first sirasa super star got carried away with his winnings and went on a spending spree only to find himself flat broke and in debt a few months later.

Anonymous said...

So they ruined a traffic light to get SMS s to a contest? These people really need to get a life...

This is kind of funny. That is of course if you aren't the victim. :P

Jack Point said...

Sachithvida - no its not as bad as all that. The guy who copped me was'nt after the SMS's, it was the man I contacted to help me get around the situ was the one who wanted the SMS's.

Jack Point said...

PP: its the hope that drives them on, they may not realise that discipline is needed to prevent them from being worse off than before.

santhoshi said...

Well we will all be careful with that traffic light in future. The city is going crazy